Studying the Potential of Copper Nanoparticles Synthesized from Staphylococcus aureus against Drug-Resistant Bacteria

Abstract

Copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) have gained a lot of interest due to their tendency to combat various bacterial strains, making them potential candidates against antibiotic resistant bacteria. Green synthesis of CuNPs eradicates the potential drawbacks of other traditional methods such as high cost, toxic chemicals and adverse conditions. The objectives of current study include the preparation of CuNPs from the culture supernatant of Staphylococcus aureus and the analysis of antibacterial potential of prepared CuNPs. The synthesis of CuNPs from the culture supernatant of Staphylococcus aureus was carried out under various optimization conditions including pH, temperature, incubation time, and concentration of salt. This research study focuses on the preparation of fine and well defined CuNPs by the reduction of Cu2+ ions using the culture supernatant of clinical isolate of Staphylococcus aureus as the feasible and cost effective method. The prepared nanoparticles were characterized through various techniques including Ultraviolet Visible Spectrophotometry, Dynamic Light Scattering and Scanning electron microscopy. The prepared copper nanoparticles were studied for their antibacterial potential by the Agar Well Method against drug resistant and drug sensitive bacteria. The surface plasmon resonance of copper nanoparticles was maximum around the visible range wavelength of 380 nm which is the characteristic absorbance peak of copper nanoparticles while the dynamic light scattering analysis recorded the maximum percentage intensity of particle size distribution around 295 nm. SEM analysis showed the amorphous nature of particles with no distinct size and shape. CuNPs showed significant antibacterial potential against drug resistant Salmonella typhimurium with 29mm zone of inhibition and against drug sensitive Bacillus subtillis with 25mm zone of inhibition. The antibacterial potential of copper nanoparticles was found to be appreciable against drug resistant Salmonella typhimurium, Staphylococcus epidermis and Staphylococcus aureus.